Baghdad: Turkish troops must leave northern Iraq within 48 hours

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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Baghdad has given Turkish troops 48 hours to leave Iraq, following a late night meeting Sunday by Iraq’s National Security Council.

“Turkey’s forces have entered Iraq without our consent and the Iraqi government has not been informed. We consider the act as a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and disrespecting a neighbor,” said the statement, following the meeting presided by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

“Baghdad has all right to use all means against Turkey including contacting the (UN) Security Council if Turkish forces do not leave the land in 48 hours,” it warned.

Turkish army sources said Saturday they had been training Peshmerga forces in four provinces in northern Iraq to combat Daesh, as the government said it was sending in 150 fresh troops.

The deployment was first announced by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Saturday.

According to Turkey’s official Anadolu Agency, the first Turkish troops were sent to the region more than two years ago, aimed to train the Kurdish forces.
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